Afenifere: We’ll not accept election postponement

Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has issued a warning that every effort must be made to ensure that the general elections, which are scheduled for this year in February and March, not only proceed without a hitch but also result in winners who are sworn in on May 29, 2023, as required by applicable laws.

Comrade Jare Ajayi, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, issued a warning to anyone who could be considering delaying or changing the election schedule, saying that such an action would not be tolerated.

He did, however, appreciate Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, for promising that the elections would take place throughout the country.

But we feel that it’s important to make clear to anyone considering delaying or cancelling the elections that doing so is and always will be unacceptable. We should not forget that in 2015, there was also a great deal of insecurity, to the point where Boko Haram terrorists controlled some local government areas, particularly in Borno State. Elections were nonetheless held. Additionally, there was unrest in 2019, and elections went on as scheduled.

“Flying a kite is a common propensity in Nigeria. Such kites frequently focus on decisions or actions that were not in the Nigerian public’s best interests. Because of this, it’s crucial to issue this warning without any misunderstanding. Because of this, we are making it very apparent that Nigerians are ready for the elections, just as the rest of the world is. Nothing under any circumstances should disrupt the schedule or result in a postponement or cancellation.

Afenifere pointed out that INEC had pledged to hold the best elections in accordance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s request.